Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 Air this year. From what we can tell, it’s not a particularly impressive handset, but some of its technologies are expected to serve as the basis for Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, which will launch in 2026.
Foldable iPhone launching in 2026
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reiterated his belief that Apple will launch its foldable iPhone in 2026. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about this, but Gurman also noted in his newsletter that he believes Apple will take advantage of the technologies found in the iPhone 17 Air and use those as a basis for its foldable.
We’ve actually mentioned this before. One of the main changes Apple is bringing to the iPhone 17 Air is a newer and thinner design. However, Apple isn’t just going thin for the sake of it.
Going thinner means having to compromise on battery life since a thinner battery usually means a smaller capacity. However, Apple could address that by adopting new high-density battery tech. Oppo’s Find N5 is a good example of that. The handset is incredibly thin, but Oppo didn’t compromise on battery life. The company adopted a silicon-carbon battery that allowed them to fit a decent amount of mAh into a smaller package.
This is the kind of technology we expect Apple will adopt as well.
Apple’s history with foldables
Apple has been working on its foldable iPhone for a long time. We’ve heard many rumors over the years about the firm’s plans to launch its own foldable. However, each year, we hear reports of its delay. This time, it’s starting to feel quite real. One of the alleged reasons why Apple has taken this long is because the company wants to get it right.
When Samsung launched its first foldable, there was a lot of controversy surrounding its durability, as well as the crease in the display. The crease on all foldable phones remains, but it has improved where it is no longer as obvious.
Eliminating the crease as much as possible is one of the things Apple is working on. Of course, only time will tell if the company is successful in its efforts. Especially since last we heard, Apple plans on charging customers $2,000 for the foldable iPhone. If Apple can’t get it right, it will have a very expensive flop on its hands.
